Custer County Chronicle

Down Memory Lane July 22

Published by admin on Wed, 07/22/2026 - 12:23pm

10 YEARS AGO, 2016

Avis Hespen Memorial Garden Tour this weekend

Published by admin on Wed, 07/22/2026 - 12:20pm

Custer Mile High Garden Club (GC) will host the 20th Annual Avis Hespen Memorial Garden Tour Sunday, July 26, from 2-5:30 p.m.
Hespen and her sister, Caroline Hatton, were founding members of the local GC in January 1996. The two shared garden witticisms, sound gardening practices, seeds, bulbs and cuttings quite liberally. GC members, sporting Hatten’s favorite color red, welcome visitors to each garden and are happy to answer any questions they might have. The tour starts with refreshments at 221 S. 9th Street in Custer.

Sheriff’s Log July 5-12

Published by admin on Wed, 07/22/2026 - 12:07pm

Custer County Sheriff’s Log
Call of the Week
Sunday, July 5
3:26 p.m.: A passing motorist reported a deer standing by Hwy. 36 west of Custer that “looked miserable” and “might have ‘that’ disease.” A deputy cruised the area, finding no deer, diseased or otherwise.

Black Hills Live July 22, 2026

Published by admin on Wed, 07/22/2026 - 9:55am

Wednesday 7-22

Men’s Breakfast Bible Study
The Little White Church
Hill City, SD 
7:30 AM

Custer County Commission
Custer County Courthouse
Custer, SD
8 AM

Seniors Fitness Class
Hill City Center 
Hill City, SD
8:30 AM

Seniors Bridge Card Games
Hill City Center 
Hill City, SD
10 AM

YMCA Kidstop at the Community Garden
Custer Community Garden
Custer, SD
10 AM

Longtime resident siblings are marshals

Published by admin on Wed, 07/15/2026 - 9:39am

The gold nugget doesn’t fall far from the wheelbarrow in Custer.
Thirty years after their parents were honored, siblings Gary Lipp, Margie Hutton and Mary Sires are being honored as Gold Discovery Days Parade Marshals for their many years of putting time, talent and labor into the festivities. 
All three siblings graduated from Custer High School in 1970, 1972 and 1974, respectively, and their oldest brother Jerry, a 1968 graduate, passed away in 1998. 

Down Memory Lane July 15

Published by admin on Wed, 07/15/2026 - 9:36am

10 YEARS AGO, 2016

Sheriff's Log July 2-5

Published by admin on Wed, 07/15/2026 - 9:19am

Custer County Sheriff’s Log
Call of the Week
Saturday, July 5
6:53 p.m.: Tempers flared between tourists traveling on a state highway near the State Game Lodge in Custer State Park near state-managed land. Allegations of middle-finger-waving, yelling, face-punching and door-slamming followed. The matter is under investigation and may result in charges.    

Black Hills Live July 15, 2026

Published by admin on Wed, 07/15/2026 - 9:03am

Wednesday 7-15

Men’s Breakfast Bible Study
The Little White Church
Hill City, SD 
7:30 AM

Driver’s License Exams
Custer County Courthouse 
Annex Pine Room
Custer, SD
8 AM - 5 PM

Seniors Fitness Class
Hill City Center 
Hill City, SD
8:30 AM

Seniors Bridge Card Games
Hill City Center 
Hill City, SD
10 AM

Excercise Class
Keystone Senior Center 
Keystone, SD
10-10:30 AM

Rush of events for Gold Discovery Days

Published by admin on Wed, 07/15/2026 - 8:41am
One of the Black Hills’ favorite summer traditions returns as the 103rd Annual Gold Discovery Days comes to Custer July 17–19. This three-day celebration honors the discovery of gold in the Black Hills while offering a weekend packed with family-friendly entertainment, community traditions and activities for all ages.

Happy Scoops now open for business

Published by admin on Wed, 07/08/2026 - 10:17am

Maria Lyndoe is likely the newest self-taught barista in Custer.
One might say she began preparing for the job at a very young age, however.
Lyndoe, a naturalized American citizen from Mexico, recalls being on her mother’s back as her mother picked coffee beans  in her native Mexico. Later, she said, it was her that was picking the beans.
“Like I tell my customers, I grew up picking the beans,” she said with a laugh.
As a child, when the beans were at their ripest with a hint of sweetness, she would eat them.